Pochettino on ‘perfect person’ Adams as Bournemouth star selected as USA captain

Mauricio Pochettino says Tyler Adams is the “perfect person” to lead his country after naming the midfielder as his new captain.

Bournemouth midfielder Adams, 27, has been named as USA captain for the 2030 World Cup cycle, as the 2026 hosts begin their preparations for the next tournament. Adams replaced former captain, veteran defender Tim Ream, 38, who retired from international duty this week.

Speaking ahead of his side’s clash with Mexico, US men’s national team head coach Pochettino believes Adams was the logical choice to take over the role.

“Everyone knows that Tyler is the perfect person,” Pochettino said. “First, and player and professional to be the leader in the way that we expect. That is all that in the last few weeks that we were talking with him. He knows exactly what we expect from him. He needs to challenge us, of course, the coaching staff.

“He needs to defend his teammates. There’s plenty of things that I think he has the quality and have the experience for deal with all this type of situation. Representing, like he said, the federation, players, but also us, the coaches, the staff.

“And I think he also is great in communicating with you, with the fans, and I think he has anything or everything to be the captain that we want.”

Adams said: “I’m extremely honoured and grateful for the opportunity. I think that, like Mauricio said, we’ve obviously built an amazing relationship over the past two years with all the staff, with my teammates here, going into this past World Cup.”